"Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17). Sometimes when I have been working out a problem through Christian Science, I have found a testimony in one of the periodicals that has helped me in my line of thought. In appreciation of this help and with a heart full of gratitude, I submit this testimony.
Before becoming interested in Christian Science I was a registered medical nurse and had been a member of an orthodox church for many years. But I had never believed that God sent illness or discordant conditions of any kind to anyone. Whenever I heard a person remark on someone's illness or misfortune and say, "It's God's will," I did not believe it. However, I never knew just why I did not.
One day I was asked to read Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. After I had read from it a few times, I began to see that I had been right in not believing that God sends misfortune. I obtained a copy of Science and Health, and later I began the daily reading of the Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly. Soon I started attending the Christian Science church services and placed my young son in the Sunday School.
My first healing was that of sciatica, recurrent attacks of which I had had for several years. I was healed after only two treatments by a Christian Science practitioner. That was nearly thirty years ago, and the healing has been permanent. Other healings have been those of a tendency to take cold and a leg injury, in which the shinbone was quite badly scraped. Lost articles have been found, and a satisfactory home was obtained when houses were scarce.
An outstanding demonstration of protection was as follows. I had been asked to do some protective work for a young woman who was taking a long trip by car, and I readily consented to do so. About a week after I heard of the young woman's safe arrival, I was downtown shopping. I started to cross a street, and as I reached the middle of the crosswalk a car came out from a side street where there was no traffic signal. Before I could hurry ahead or step back, it drove right at me. Pedestrians stopped to look, it appeared that I would surely be knocked down; it was all so sudden. I did not feel a bit frightened, and all I said was, "I am safe." Just as I said this the left front wheel of the car came in contact with my left knee and stopped. There was no more force than if a person had lightly laid his hand on another's arm. The young man who was driving looked so scared that I felt sorry for him. He said, "Lady, the sun was in my eyes, and I just didn't see you." I assured him that I was not hurt. Like Nehemiah, I had built a wall of protection for myself in working for the protection of another.
While I am grateful for all of these demonstrations of healing and protection, I am especially grateful for my growth in spiritual understanding. Since I have been studying Christian Science, I feel as the children of Israel must have felt when they were released from bondage. I am grateful to our Father-Mother God for our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, for our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for membership in The Mother Church and a branch church, and for class instruction. Also I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the faithful practitioners, who are always so willing to respond when called upon.— Palo Alto, California.
